VA awards $994K for shredding services in Washington, with 7 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,945 ($9.9K)

Contractor: Elite Recruiting & Consulting Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BASE YEAR - SHREDDING SERVICES - SEATTLE AND SEATAC

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98174

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $9,945 to ELITE RECRUITING & CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC for work described as: BASE YEAR - SHREDDING SERVICES - SEATTLE AND SEATAC Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the scope of services, considering the duration and geographic coverage. 2. Competition was robust with seven bids, suggesting a healthy market for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This contract supports essential administrative functions for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 5. The service area covers Seattle and Seatac, indicating a localized but important operational need. 6. The contractor, Elite Recruiting & Consulting Services, LLC, is a new entity in this specific service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $994,500 over two years for shredding services in the Seattle/Seatac area seems within a reasonable range for the scope. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for document destruction services indicates that pricing for this type of support can vary significantly based on volume, frequency, and specific security requirements. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the government has a clear understanding of the total cost, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for acquisitions below the threshold for full and open competition. The solicitation received seven bids, indicating a competitive marketplace for shredding services in the region. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition suggests that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best price and service, driving down costs.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by ensuring secure and compliant destruction of sensitive documents. Provides essential shredding and document destruction services for VA facilities in Seattle and Seatac, Washington. Supports compliance with federal regulations regarding records management and data privacy. May indirectly support local employment through the contractor's operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The contractor, Elite Recruiting & Consulting Services, LLC, may have limited prior experience specifically in large-scale government shredding contracts.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service like document destruction carries inherent operational risk.

Positive Signals

The competitive bidding process with seven offers suggests a good selection of qualified vendors.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of budget overruns.
The contract duration of two years allows for consistent service delivery and potential relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The document management and destruction services sector is a vital component of government operations, ensuring compliance and data security. This contract falls under the broader 'Other Support Services' NAICS code (561990). The market for these services is generally stable, driven by regulatory requirements and the ongoing need for secure disposal of sensitive information. Government spending in this area is consistent, with numerous contracts awarded annually across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and the small business status of the awardee is not specified as a set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding small business subcontracting requirements for this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or if there were opportunities missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating it falls under the agency's standard procurement and oversight processes. Oversight would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially the VA Office of Inspector General for any significant issues. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov, where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Federal Records Management Services
Secure Document Destruction Contracts
VA Administrative Support Services
Washington State Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Data Security Risk
Service Continuity Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $9,945 to ELITE RECRUITING & CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC. BASE YEAR - SHREDDING SERVICES - SEATTLE AND SEATAC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELITE RECRUITING & CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,945.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Elite Recruiting & Consulting Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly for shredding services?

Based on the provided data, Elite Recruiting & Consulting Services, LLC is the awardee for this specific contract. Information regarding their prior federal contracting history, especially for shredding services, is not detailed here. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would be necessary to ascertain their past performance, contract types, values, and any performance reviews or issues. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their established track record in this specialized service area.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar shredding services in the Seattle/Tacoma area?

The total contract value is $994,500 over two years. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to consider the volume of documents, frequency of service, type of shredding (e.g., cross-cut, particle-cut), and any additional services like recycling or media destruction. Anecdotal evidence suggests that government contracts for such services can sometimes be priced competitively due to volume and established relationships. However, without specific service level agreements and volume metrics for this contract, a precise comparison to commercial rates is challenging. The presence of seven bids suggests the price was competitive within the bidding pool.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential service disruptions if the contractor underperforms or faces operational issues, and the risk of data breaches if security protocols are not strictly followed. Mitigation strategies are in place through the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet performance standards to receive full payment. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including contract management and potential inspections, also serve to mitigate risks. Furthermore, the competitive nature of the award suggests the VA selected a vendor perceived as capable of meeting requirements.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The receipt of seven bids for this contract indicates a healthy level of competition. This suggests that the solicitation was well-publicized and attracted multiple capable vendors. A higher number of bidders generally leads to a more robust price discovery process, where vendors compete not only on price but also on the quality and scope of services offered. This competitive pressure is expected to drive down costs and ensure that the VA obtains services at a fair and reasonable price, thereby maximizing the value for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for shredding services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending data for shredding services by the VA is not provided in the current dataset. However, agencies like the VA, which manage vast amounts of sensitive veteran information, consistently require document destruction and data sanitization services. Spending in this category is typically driven by regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA, Privacy Act) and operational needs for records management. Annual spending can fluctuate based on specific facility needs, contract renewals, and changes in regulatory requirements. A comprehensive analysis would require examining historical procurement data over several fiscal years.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C10D24Q0072

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 BASSWOOD CT, KATHLEEN, GA, 31047

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,925

Exercised Options: $9,945

Current Obligation: $9,945

Actual Outlays: $5,595

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline